Coupling-link



(No Model.)

B. MORTON.

' GOUPLING LINK. No. 395,794. Patented Ja11.`8, 1889.`

lUNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

BENJAMIN MORTON, OF FIVE FORKS, LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

conFitline-Lanzl SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,794, dated January 8, 1889.

Serial No. 288,355. (No model.)

.To all 1071/0711/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN NORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Five Forks, Pequea township, county of Lancaster, State Otl Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Coupling-Links, Ot' which the following' is a specification.

This invention relates to t-hat class of links used by farmers to connect the whiflietree with implements used in the field-such as plows, harrows, and the like--or to connectthe parts et chains used as traces Or for similar purposes; and it consists ot an Ordinary link constructed in two parts, which parts are hinged and heldtogether substantially in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l is a side view of a link embodying my invention with the hinged portion closed, the connected links being shown in section; Fig. 2, a similar view Ot' the link with the hinged portion partially Open; Fig. 3, a side view of the link with the hinged portion Opened to its full extent; and Fig. 4, a horizontal section through the link on the line .'r, Fig. l.

In the drawings, A represents the main pOr tion or body of the link, having one of its sides open; and B, the hinged portion, formed with a tongue, C, thereon, which is received and pivoted in a recess, a, cnt in the body A.

E is a pin which passes through a perforation in the tongue and corresponding perforations in the walls of the recess and pivots the part B to the body A of the link. The tongue as it rests in the recess extends entirely around one end of the link into the longitudinal part thereof and embraces and passes under one of the connected links, G. A hasp, l), is formed on the Outer end of the hinged part B, and when that part is shut down to close the Open side of the body A engages a staple, F, On-the end of the body Opposite to that in which it is pivoted; After the link is closed a suitable pin is inserted in the opening f Ot the staple. By this construction it is impossible under ordinary circumstances for either of the connected links G and H tO be accidentally disconnect-ed from the link, even should the pin inserted in. the opening fot the staple drop ont, the links serving to keep the hinged portion closed, for only by the link G dropping back to the position shown by the dotted lines at I, Fig. l, and the link II retaining the position it there occupies can the hinged portion B be opened. Iith the link II in the position I the link G prevents the Opening Ot the part B by its pressure upon the tongue C, while by any simultaneous movement whatever Ot the links II and G toward the center ot the link A B they would prevent the openin et the hinged part B and block the passage of each other Outward, so as to relieve the tongue C from their pressure.

The engagement Ot' the hasp over the staple and of the tongue C with the link G makes the coupling-link A B almost as strong as though it were a solid link.

As will be seen in Fig. 4.-, the width of the recess c` increases from the Outer edge, c, to the inner around the curved ond Ot the link, as does also the thickness of the tongue (l. These parts are so constructed tO prevent the tongue from becoming wedged in the recess by dirt or sand, by the narrowing of the inner mouth Of the recess by the spreading of the metal at that point, caused by the pressure of the link G upon it.

I am aware that prior tO my invention links have been made with an open side and a pivotcd part with which to close it. I therefore do not claim such a combination, broadly; but

'hat I do claim as my invention, and desire tO secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a coupling-link, the combination, with the body A, having a recess, a, formed therein which increases in width 'from the outer to the inner edge of the link, of the part B, hinged to the body A and having a tongue adapted to be received in the said recess, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

BENJAMIN MORTON. lVitnesses:

GEO. A. LANE, WM, R. GERHART. 

